On Tuesday night, the lights come up on one of the most exploitive shows on Earth. A circus using horses and ponies in its routines will open its doors to the public on Tuesday at Southsea Common, Portsmouth and SARC will be there to greet them.

SARC are urging all its compassionate supporters to come on demonstrations, appeal to shop keepers in the local area to take posters and money off vouchers away from the public eye and very importantly: to write to the council.

The council can be contacted (politely) in several ways:

By phone:
+44(023)92 822 251

Online:
By Clicking here.

By email:
 cityhelpdesk@portsmouthcc.gov.uk,  genral@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

By post:
Guildhall Square
Portsmouth
Hampshire, PO1 2BG

Below is a sample letter which you are welcome to use, but remember, a personalised touch to your complaint would pack an extra punch with these councillors.

Dear Sir/Madam,

R:E Zippos Circus on Southsea Common.

I am shocked and appalled that the council have allowed a circus which features animals to appear on Southsea Common from the 25th August until 5th September. After so long without such a barbaric presence in our city, I can only question what has made councillors think it is acceptable to have such a barbaric tourist attraction by our otherwise beautiful sea front.

Zippos circus has been exposed by Animal Defenders International failing to comply with even the basic task of exercising their animals daily and on one 5 mile journey in 2003, Zippos animals were kept on lorries for anything between 4 hours 15 minutes up to 4 hours 55 minutes.

A full report about the shocking conditions that Zippos subjects its animals to can be found at:  http://www.ad-international.org/animals_in_entertainment/go.php?id=504&si=1&ssi=10

I encourage you to read the report.

If the council refuses to act when Zippos comes to town, would it react to a visit from other animals circuses. During protests against Jolly's Circus, another animal circus earlier this year in Gloucester, circus employees were seen chasing protesters with weapons and trying to run over a young girl.

I am asking the council today to ban all animal circuses in Portsmouth in the same way that Camden Council, London and Ipswich Council have.

Yours Faithfully,

[Insert name here]

PLEASE NOTE: SARC requests that all messages sent in support of this campaign are peaceful and polite. SARC do not condone any abusive or threatening mail or communications.